Raffia summer tote with coral fabric tassels

You will start at the center bottom and work outward in increasing rounds.

Magic Ring: Create a magic ring (also called magic circle or adjustable ring). This is how you start crocheting in the round with no hole in the center.

Check your work: The base should lie flat without cupping or ruffling. If it cups, you are crocheting too tightly. If it ruffles, you may have too many stitches or too loose tension.

This round creates the sharp angle between the flat base and the upright sides. It is what gives the bag that structured bucket shape.

Now you will work straight up without any increases. This builds the walls of your tote.

Important: Continue working in both loops (normal single crochet) for all these rounds. Only Round 13 was in back loop only.

Height check: After completing Round 40, your bag body should measure approximately 9 to 10 inches from the base transition ridge to the top edge.

The handles are made from fabric yarn using a simple three-strand braid. This is not crochet, just basic braiding, but the thick yarn creates that gorgeous rope-like effect.

For each handle, you need: 3 strands of fabric yarn, each approximately 45 inches long To make one handle: 1. Cut three 45-inch lengths of coral fabric yarn.

2. Align the ends and tie them together in an overhand knot, leaving about 4 inches of tail below the knot.

3. Braid the three strands together. Keep consistent tension so the braid looks even and full. The fabric yarn is thick, so your braid will be chunky and substantial.

4. When you have braided to about 4 inches from the ends, tie another overhand knot to secure.

5. Repeat to create a second identical handle.

Each finished braided section should be approximately 22 to 24 inches long between the knots.

Each handle has two tassels, one at each attachment point. You need 4 tassels total.

For each tassel: 1. Cut approximately 16 to 20 strands of fabric yarn, each about 16 inches long.

2. Gather all strands and fold them in half.

3. Take a separate short piece of fabric yarn (about 12 inches). Wrap it tightly around the folded bundle about 1.5 inches down from the fold. Wrap several times and tie securely. This creates the tassel head.

4. Trim the ends so they are even, approximately 6 to 7 inches long below the wrapped section.

5. Repeat three more times for a total of 4 tassels.

This is the assembly step. Take your time here because placement affects both looks and function.

Positioning: Each handle attaches at two points on opposite sides of the bag Position the attachment points about 3 to 4 inches from center on each side

Both handles should be symmetrical Attachment method:

1. Thread the tail ends of one handle knot through the top edge of the bag from outside to inside. Position about 3.5 inches left of center on one side of the bag.

2. On the inside, separate the tail strands and weave them back out through different stitches, creating a secure anchor.

3. Take one tassel and position it so the folded loop is at the handle attachment point. Thread the handle tails through the tassel loop and pull tight, securing the tassel to the handle base.

4. Wrap any remaining tail ends around the connection point several times, then tuck and secure. You want a neat wrapped look that hides the attachment.

5. Repeat for the other end of the same handle, positioning it 3.5 inches right of center on the opposite side of the bag.

6. Repeat entire process for the second handle on the remaining two sides.

Final check: Both handles should have equal drop height and the tassels should hang evenly.